More Americans than ever are exploring a move to Europe for lifestyle, safety, healthcare and long-term residency planning. This guide walks through key motivations, visa routes, Golden Visa options and how a CMVM-regulated fund allocation in Portugal can support a structured path to EU residency and – in some cases – citizenship.
By Explorer Investments • Updated 28 November 2025
Americans in Europe
1M+
Estimated US expats across Europe
Time to Citizenship
5–10 yrs
Typical EU naturalisation range
Golden Visa Route
€500k
Portugal fund-based investment
Stay Requirement
7 days
Average per year for PT Golden Visa
“Relocation is no longer just about where you live – it’s part of how you allocate capital, manage risk and secure optionality for your family. A European residency plan should sit alongside your private equity, public markets and real assets strategy.”
If you find yourself saying, “I want to move to Europe from the USA”, you are far from alone. Millions of Americans now live abroad, with well over a million choosing Europe for its safety, healthcare, lifestyle and long-term residency options. This guide is designed to help you turn that desire into a structured plan.
We’ll explore motivations, benefits and trade-offs, the main visa categories – including Golden Visa routes – and the practical steps that sit behind a successful relocation: tax, housing, healthcare, budget and long-term citizenship planning.
The number of Americans relocating to Europe has grown steadily, driven by quality of life, access to healthcare, cultural attractions and new career or retirement opportunities. Popular destinations include the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland and Greece.
Southern Europe – especially Portugal, Spain and Italy – stands out for comparatively lower living costs, Mediterranean climates and accessible residency programs including Golden Visas, passive income visas and digital nomad options.
Relocating overseas is a big step, but for many US citizens, the reasons are compelling. Here are ten of the most common drivers we see from clients planning their move.
Many Americans look to Europe to stretch retirement savings further. Lower living costs, public healthcare and in some cases favourable tax regimes for new residents make destinations like Portugal, Spain or Greece attractive alternatives to retiring in the US.
Housing, healthcare and education in major US metros can consume a large share of monthly income. In many European locations you can access a high quality of life at more moderate cost, especially as a remote worker, retiree or investor.
Several European nations consistently rank among the safest on earth, with lower violent crime rates and stricter firearms regulations than the US. Families often prioritise this when choosing cities and neighbourhoods.
In the United States, medical treatment and insurance premiums can be unpredictable and expensive. In Europe, residents usually access universal or heavily subsidised healthcare, bringing long-term financial stability to family health planning.
From the Acropolis to the Alps and from Lisbon’s old town to Berlin’s galleries, Europe offers dense culture, history and culinary diversity within a few hours’ travel.
Shorter working hours, mandated vacation and stronger worker protections can be a major quality-of-life upgrade. Tech, life sciences, finance, education and healthcare remain strong hiring sectors for international talent.
Many Americans are drawn to the idea of a second home in Europe that doubles as an investment and a base for travel. In some countries, residency-by-investment programs link capital allocation directly to residency rights.
Europe’s interconnected transport networks make multi-country travel a routine part of life. Weekend breaks in different countries are common, not exceptional.
Many European universities offer English-taught programs at significantly lower tuition than comparable US institutions, which appeals to both students and families.
For high-net-worth families, relocation can be part of a broader tax and wealth strategy. While you must still satisfy US tax obligations, certain European regimes – including Portugal’s – may improve the overall profile when combined with professional planning and Golden Visa fund investments.
Although some European capitals are expensive, many mid-sized cities and coastal regions still offer housing at more accessible price points than premium US markets – often with better access to services and public amenities.
Public or mixed healthcare systems, funded largely through taxes or social security contributions, provide predictable costs and broad coverage, helping to remove one of the biggest sources of financial anxiety in the US.
Italian trattorie, Portuguese seafood, French patisseries, Austrian cafés – culinary and cultural diversity becomes part of your daily routine rather than an occasional trip.
Americans can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area without a visa. For longer stays or residency, you’ll need an appropriate visa or permit. ETIAS – an electronic travel authorisation similar to ESTA – will soon be required for short visits.
Common long-term routes for US citizens include:
Golden Visa programs provide residency rights – and sometimes a path to citizenship – in exchange for investment. For globally mobile families, they offer a structured way to secure a European base without committing to full-time relocation immediately.
Portugal’s Golden Visa is widely viewed as the “blue-chip” option. With real estate routes closed, the flagship path is a €500,000 allocation into a CMVM-regulated investment fund.
Explorer works with CMVM-supervised private equity and sector funds that qualify for the Golden Visa, allowing US investors to keep capital productive while building an EU residency and citizenship option.
Greece’s Golden Visa has historically focused on real estate investment. It offers residency, but the path to citizenship is longer and more residence-intensive than Portugal’s typical Golden Visa pathway.
Italy’s Investor Visa grants residency based on investments in startups, Italian companies, government bonds or philanthropy. It is well suited to those who wish to integrate into Italian life over time rather than maintain a purely “light touch” presence.
Visas and investments are only part of the story. Successful relocation depends on the practical details of everyday life.
English is widely spoken in many cities, but not everywhere. Some countries even require language proficiency for certain residency or citizenship applications.
Create a detailed budget that includes rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, education, travel and savings. Include one-off relocation costs like shipping and visa fees.
Decide early what to ship, sell or store. Container shipping from the US to Europe can cost several thousand dollars depending on volume and route.
From Mediterranean sunshine to Alpine winters and Atlantic drizzle, climate varies widely. Make sure your chosen destination fits your preferences.
Many countries require proof of private health insurance before granting visas. Over time, you may move into the public system depending on your status.
Rental markets can be competitive and local rules unfamiliar. Understand deposits, minimum lease terms and any restrictions on foreign ownership.
Opening a local bank account and securing a tax number (like Portugal’s NIF) will make daily life – and investing – much easier.
Many European countries tax residents on worldwide income, and US citizens must still file with the IRS. Work with advisors who understand both systems to make use of double-tax treaties.
If you need local employment, research high-demand sectors and language requirements. Remote workers should confirm their visa category allows remote work for foreign employers.
Europe is a patchwork of different cost levels. Zurich and Copenhagen are very different to Porto or Valencia. Always map your expected costs against your income and savings.
There is no single “best” country – only the best fit for your lifestyle, budget and long-term plans. That said, some destinations stand out:
It’s not “easy”, but it is very achievable with planning. The key is choosing the right visa route, preparing documents and allowing enough time for bureaucracy and logistics.
You can use passive income, retirement or investment-based visas, such as Portugal’s D7, Spain’s Non-Lucrative visa or a Golden Visa route, provided you meet the financial and insurance requirements.
Portugal is often cited as one of the most accessible due to flexible visa categories and a comparatively straightforward residency process.
Yes, if your rental income is stable and exceeds local thresholds. Portugal’s D7 is a classic example of a passive income visa that may accept rental income as the primary source.
With the right residence permit and enough time spent in the country, many Americans go on to receive permanent residency or citizenship. The specific rules vary by country.
For many, Portugal’s fund-based Golden Visa stands out thanks to the low physical presence requirement, regulated investment structures and a 5-year path to citizenship subject to language and legal criteria.
Yes. Almost all long-term visas require proof of valid health insurance. Over time, you may transition into the public system depending on your permit type.
Portugal, Spain, Italy, the UK, Germany and Ireland remain particularly popular, driven by language, climate, work opportunities and visa accessibility.
Moving to Europe from the USA is much more than an airline ticket. Done well, it becomes a structured strategy for quality of life, education, healthcare, tax efficiency and long-term citizenship planning.
If you want to understand how Portugal’s fund-based Golden Visa or other residency paths can fit into your wider portfolio construction, Explorer can help you align a CMVM-regulated fund allocation with a conservative, step-by-step residency roadmap.
Whether you are exploring the Portugal Golden Visa for EU residency or you simply want to allocate capital to private equity funds in Portugal, our Investor Relations team can help. We will walk you through CMVM-regulated fund options, clarify how they work for residency and for pure investment, and coordinate with trusted immigration and tax advisers. Schedule your confidential, no-obligation strategy call today.
André Bandeira
ab@explorerinvestments.com
Maria Campos Silva
mcs@explorerinvestments.com
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André Bandeira
ab@explorerinvestments.comMaria Campos Silva
mcs@explorerinvestments.comCopyright © 2025 Explorer Investments
It is recommended to consult Chapter V of Decree-Law nº 162/2014, of October 31st, published in the Official Gazette, as well as its revision by Law nº 2/2020, of March 31st. The information included here is of a general nature, and therefore each potential investor should seek independent advice (e.g., legal, financial, tax, etc.)